When planning my two-week-long trip to Colombia, I was met with great difficulty. I would be experiencing both the balmy temperatures of the Caribbean coast and the cool and rainy climate of cosmopolitan Bogota. I also had a conference to attend. This mix made clothing choices tricky, but I … [Read more...] about What I Packed for Colombia
backpacking
What I Packed for a Week in Belize
In the past, I've felt like a pro with packing but this was my first international trip since South Africa in 2019, so I felt rusty! Like in Guatemala, I went carry on only, which was pretty easy to manage. I also spent most of my time in the water, not touring the ruins of the mainland, so this … [Read more...] about What I Packed for a Week in Belize
My Craziest Hostel Stories
I've now been backpacking around the world and staying in hostels since I was 19. They've come in all varieties from luxe ones with fast WiFi and a coffee shop to run-down and inhabited by thrifty locals. They've been in big cities like London and Sydney as well as remote villages. I've been … [Read more...] about My Craziest Hostel Stories
The Cost of Traveling in South Africa
Many people view South Africa as a once-in-a-lifetime luxury destination, but it’s much more affordable than you think. I found the country to have options for every budget and I kept copious notes about my spending habits to share them with you. I estimate that I spent no more than $3,000 USD for … [Read more...] about The Cost of Traveling in South Africa
Disconnecting on the Garden Route
When I planned my trip to South Africa, I wanted to have plenty of time to stop at random towns along the coast. I thought I wouldn't have to rush, spending a few days in each. But it didn't turn out that way, of course. I didn't have an entire year like I had when traveling the East Coast of … [Read more...] about Disconnecting on the Garden Route